Sunday, January 16, 2016
Dear Riley,
This will be a new twist: Funny things Elise said lately. She came up from practicing the piano and after a minute said, “Is it normal to be out of breath when practicing William Joseph?”
While we were watching Return of the Jedi Friday night and as Darth Vader is taking Luke to meet the Emperor they ride in an elevator. Elise said, “It would be so funny to have elevator music playing here!”
I complained about the milk disappearing too quickly and she looked at me guiltily and said, “I’m growing again…”
I love that girl and I depend on her a lot. She is figuring this friend thing out and seems much more confident lately. And she wants to be the kind girl who sits with someone who’s alone at lunch.
We’re doing pretty well here at home. It snowed again last night making it beautiful, but slushy.
I have been on a remedy (an antibacterial addition to my sinus rinse) for my sinus infections which has definitely helped, but I completed the treatment and within 24 hours couldn’t bend over without agony. I haven’t reported to my ENT yet, but I feel like the beautiful meal that was just being set in front of me was yanked away before I could even fully explore the sights and smells, let alone taste it. I was just beginning to think, “Man, if you feel good, life isn’t that hard!” I hope, hope, hope to be finally well.
Dad took me for a bike Friday afternoon. It was like 45 and sunny and I called him at 3:30 and said, “Davey? Wanna take a bike ride?” He came home a little early for me. It felt so good (and we are definitely out of shape…)
Parker got to see Elder Holland this week. He came down to the Orem Institute at UVU for a very early morningside Friday. Parker loved it. Elder Holland told them that this is the dispensation all others have looked to, the one that will not end without the victory of good over evil. Parker also really enjoys his mission prep class. He seems a lot softer lately, I even caught him more than once this week trying to play with Aleah!?!
Aleah is doing pretty well. She has been in double dosing for reading aloud the last couple weeks. She makes good progress when she does it and I appreciate the extra help. She is more confident and offers to read Josie a story and bedtime. One thing that I love about Aleah is that she likes to help consistently with the garage door. For some strange reason we cannot make the door remotes work on our garage door opener with the keypad. Dad and I each spent 30 minutes on hold before deciding we just didn’t have time to spend that way just then. So we just get out of the car and use the keypad coming and going. It’s kind of inconvenient. But Aleah jumps to the door when I say I’m leaving somewhere and waits in the garage to close the door when I leave. She also frequently watches for my return to open the door before I can get out of the car.
Josie is doing well. She started back to music class this week which she loves. Josie watched more movies than I like to admit this week as I had to be at work long stretches to close the books for 2015… still working on it. Did I tell you last week that as I went to pick her up from dance class Wednesday night I asked how her class went. She said, “It was really good. You should have seen my leaps! They were just beautiful!!”
Elise, Aleah, and Josie got their hair cut Tuesday night at the salon. Nothing drastic was done, but they look so good. Aleah got bangs again and I love them on her. Josie’s baby curls are slowly growing out. Sigh. But her hair is so much more manageable.
This week I was in the bathroom when my cell rang. It was BT needing to tell me something about our appointment. I later heard from B about the marvelous conversation they had which started this way, “Well, my mom is in the bathroom. So you can just talk to me until she gets out.” :D
Cambry is doing well. She is enjoying C, even nurturing that relationship over completing homework occasionally. I can say that C is very good to her and good for her. They came into the primary room to say hi to me today after their church and mostly spoke with AY. After they left A asked when they were getting married. They are good together. But this is Cambry’s decision and I’m happy with that reality; it’s her heart she gives! And I don’t want her to give it until she can do so knowingly and with giddy anticipation.
One of our speakers today shared some counsel he heard Hartman Rector Junior give to newlyweds. He said that many of you young couples, having found your sweetheart, think you’ve booked passage on a cruiseship for the rest of your lives. But when the reality that life happens on a battleship where you’re being shot at constantly, some couples feel disheartened and deceived. He said there are those few times where the shooting stops and we are able to enjoy the moment and recognize the need to cherish it. That is kind of true. But I’d take any battle on with greater confidence with Dad by my side.
I realized this month that I have no reason to not get through every article in the Ensign each month. So after I’ve read my scriptures daily, I’ve spent some time reading articles. I’ve felt an increase of personal revelation which is always good, right?
Make it a good week where you listen and increase your understanding of God and His workings with His children. I loved your letter last week and thought about the time in your childhood when you prayed to find something after Cambry’s FHE lesson, and found it. God desires to work in your life, son. He wants to help you do the things He wants you to do. He will lead when you let Him. I know this.
I love you, son.
Love,
Mom
Hi Riley,
We enjoyed your letter. How exciting to have a family to teach; an answer to your inspired prayers, I believe.
You were pretty young, maybe four or five when this prayer happened. I attended a class that encouraged us to let the kids teach lessons for FHE. It was a leap of faith for me. Cambry taught the first lesson and she taught that Heavenly Father really hears our prayers. She had evidence from her own life because she had misplaced something and really wanted to find it. So she prayed and immediately found it. The lesson was probably 1 and a half minutes. I agonized over this choice to let the kids teach through the next week until you taught.
Your lesson was even shorter, but powerful: I just want to say that what Cambry taught us last week is true. I lost _____. As I was looking for it I remembered Cambry's lesson and I said a prayer. I found it right away. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Those lessons had sufficient impact to convince me that this was inspired counsel that would bless our family.
I forgot to tell you that as I was feeling so grateful to have found that van I had an impression: some of that blessing was given to us because of your faithfulness on your mission. Keep it up!
I love you like crazy.
Glad we made you have a super hero laugh! We were all laughing because Aleah-tootie had just gassed us all out.
Love,
Mom
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